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Chiropractic & Osteopathy
Open Access
Review
Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and
recommendation for clinical decision-making. Part I, anatomic
leg-length inequality: prevalence, magnitude, effects and clinical
significance
Gary A Knutson*
Address: 840 W. 17th, Suite 5 Bloomington, IN, 47404, USA
Email: Gary A Knutson* -
* Corresponding author
Leg-length inequalityanatomicback painchiropractic
Abstract
Background: Leg-length inequality is most often divided into two groups: anatomic and functional.
Part I of this review analyses data collected on anatomic leg-length inequality relative to prevalence,
magnitude, effects and clinical significance. Part II examines the functional "short leg" including
anatomic-functional relationships, and provides an outline for clinical decision-making.
Methods: Online database – Medline, CINAHL and MANTIS – and library searches for the time
frame of 1970–2005 were done using the term "leg-length inequality".
Results and Discussion: Using data on leg-length inequality obtained by accurate and reliable x-
ray methods, the prevalence of anatomic inequality was found to be 90%, the mean magnitude of
anatomic inequality was 5.2 mm (SD 4.1). The evidence suggests that, for most people, anatomic
leg-length inequality does not appear to be clinically significant until the magnitude reaches ~ 20
mm (~3/4").
Conclusion: Anatomic leg-length inequality is near universal, but the average magnitude is small
and not likely to be clinically significant.
Review
Leg-length inequality (LLI) is a topic that seemingly has

been exhaustively examined; yet much is left to be under-
stood. Reviews by Mannello [1] and Gurney [2] on leg-
length inequality and Cooperstein and Lisi on pelvic tor-
sion [3] are highly recommended as sources to provide
expanded and longer time-frame background informa-
tion on this topic. The information provided by these
authors, however extensive, is incomplete relative to clin-
ical decision-making. Further, several questions have
remained largely unanswered regarding anatomic leg-
length inequality and the so-called functional short leg, or
more accurately, unloaded leg-length alignment asymme-
try (LLAA). These include: how common is anatomic LLI,
what is the average amount of anatomic LLI, what are the
effects of anatomic LLI, how much anatomic LLI is neces-
sary to be clinically significant, and what are the inciden-
tal and functional relationships of anatomic LLI to
Published: 20 July 2005
Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2005, 13:11 doi:10.1186/1746-1340-13-11
Received: 31 May 2005
Accepted: 20 July 2005
This article is available from: />© 2005 Knutson; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( />),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2005, 13:11 />Page 2 of 10
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unloaded leg-length alignment asymmetry? The purpose
of this review is to highlight current research to answer
these questions and help in clinical decision-making.
Methods
In the 1970's studies began to show that clinical measure-

ments of LLI were inaccurate and the use of x-ray, control-
ling for magnification and distortion, was necessary [4-6].
By 1980 the accuracy of the measurements with the stand-
ing x-ray had been established, with Friberg then demon-
strating reliability of the method on subjects [7]. For these
reasons, this review starts in the 1970's with studies that
used the reliable x-ray procedure as described by Friberg.
To answer the question regarding the prevalence of ana-
tomic leg-length inequality, Medline, CINAHL, MANTIS
and library searches (using key words "leg-length ine-
qualty") were performed for studies done from 1970–
2005. Studies which did not describe, or use the reliably
precise radiographic method, or that did not provide their
LLI measurement data, were excluded.
Prevalence of anatomic leg-length inequality
Several studies using the precise radiographic method
(Table 1) contained data, which quantified LLI in incre-
mental millimetric measurements [8-15]. These studies
were combined giving a population of n = 573, with a LLI
range of 0–20 mm. The mean LLI was 5.21 mm (SD 4.1
mm) or approximately 3/16". The results of these studies
are shown in Figure 1. Six of the studies, with combined
population of n = 272, broke their data down into right or
left LLI [8-12,14]. Figure 2 shows those results; note the
curve is shifted slightly towards leg-length discrepancy on
the right. This finding – that the right leg is anatomically
shorter more often – is consistent with other studies that
have found the left leg to be anatomically longer 53–75%
of the time [6,7,9]. Using the same studies [8-12,14] to
compare the magnitude of the discrepancy of right (n =

140) and left (n = 114) legs finds only a 0.84 mm differ-
ence, which is not statistically significant (p = 0.08, t-test).
This means that while the right leg is anatomically short
more often, the amount of the discrepancy is no greater
than a short left leg.
Four of the radiographic studies [8,10,12,15] identified
measured LLI subjects by gender (n = 116). There was no
difference (p = 0.87, t-test) between male and female LLI
as shown in Table 2, suggesting that gender plays little role
in the amount of anatomic LLI. One study [12] provided
data on subject height (n = 19), which was plotted against
LLI giving only a fair correlation coefficient of 0.31. How-
ever, Soukka et al, using a much larger number of subjects
(n = 247) did find a correlation between height and LLI (p
= 0.02)[13]. Men, being taller than women on average,
would be expected to show a larger LLI, but did not. The
discrepancy in these data is difficult to explain.
Seven of the studies identified subjects with LLI as being
symptomatic (n = 347) or asymptomatic (n = 165) [8-
10,12-15]. Symptoms included a variety of kinetic chain
(knee, hip) problems and low back pain. Asymptomatic
was variously defined from no complaints, to no back
pain in the last six months [15], to no low back pain in the
last 12 months [13]. Symptomatic subjects had a mean
LLI of 5.1 mm (SD 3.9); asymptomatic subjects had a
mean LLI of 5.2 mm (SD 4.2). There is no statistical differ-
ence in the LLI between these two groups (p = 0.75, t-test).
The mean LLI for these groups is virtually identical to the
overall combined mean, suggesting that the average LLI is
not correlated to symptomatic problems, especially low

back pain.
Table 1: Studies using reliable means of determining magnitude of anatomic leg-length inequality
Study Population "N" (573) Subjects/Notes Controls Av LLI (SD)
Gross R. 1983 Male marathon runners, age 24–
49
33 No deleterious effect of the LLI 4.9 mm (3.8)
Venn et al 1983 Randomly chosen patients 60 5.4 mm (4.0)
Cleveland et al 1988 Low back pain patients 10 Standing and supine x-ray 4.7 mm (5.8)
Hoikka et al 1989 Chronic low back pain patients 100 4.9 mm (3.6)
Beattie et al 1990 Clinical subjects, age 22–60 19 10 with history of LLI or lower
extremity or back pain
9 healthy 6.8 mm (5.7)
Soukka et al 1991 Four defined occupational and
gender groups, age 35–54
247 194 with prior back pain (>12 mo
ago and during last 12 mo with
and without disability)
53 who never had
back pain
5.0 mm (3.9)
Rhodes et al 1995 New LBP patients Chiropractic
practice
50 Age 18–40 26 men 24 women 6.3 mm (4.1)
Mincer et al 1997 Volunteers 54 no history of back pain in last 6
months 10 men 44 women
2.4 mm (1.8)
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"Incidence" of anatomic leg-length inequality magnitudeFigure 1
"Incidence" of anatomic leg-length inequality magnitude.

Magnitude of anatomic leg-length inequality; right vs. leftFigure 2
Magnitude of anatomic leg-length inequality; right vs. left.
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
01234567891011121314151617181920
mm
% population
0
5
10
15
20
25
-20 -18 -16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Discrepancy in mm
(Left is negative)
N
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Recognizing that measurements to the precision of a mil-
limeter will be prone to error, other studies – again, using
precise radiographic methods – have examined LLI within
a measured range [7,16,17]. These findings, combined
with the millimetric measure studies, are noted in Figure

3, and provide an even larger pool of data for LLI. This
data table shows, for example, that in a pooled popula-
tion of 2,978 people, 20.1% had a LLI of 10 mm or more.
Collecting x-ray data from 421 subjects with low back
pain from an osteopathic manipulative practice, Juhl et al
[18] reported on the incidence of leg-length and sacral
base unleveling. The data from Juhl et al indicated that
43% of those examined had LLI of 10 mm or more, twice
the rate noted from the pooled data in this review. A
significant difference of Juhl et al's methods of examina-
tion was that the central ray was directed at the level of the
sacral base, and not the femoral heads. Due to this
methodological difference, lack of reported reliability of
this method, and the significant disagreement with others
as to incidence, the data from Juhl et al regarding the inci-
dence of anatomic leg-length inequality was not used.
Using the data from the millimetric measurement, 90% of
the population has some anatomic leg-length asymmetry.
This finding is in accord with other studies [19,20]. Larger
LLI – more than 20 mm (~ 3/4") – was calculated in a
population of 2.68 million, to be 1 in 1000 [21]. Refer-
ences will be made later in this paper to the data compiled
in these two tables.
Finally, in a retrospective study of 106 consecutive
patients, Specht and De Boer report on the use of 14" ×
36" x-ray films to determine LLI [22]. This x-ray method,
less reviewed than the methods noted above, does not
direct the central ray at the femoral heads and therefore
uses a mathematical formula to take the effect innominate
rotation into account in measuring LLI. The results calcu-

lated from the data presented showed an average LLI of
5.5 mm (SD 3.9), which is nearly identical to the multi-
study average noted above.
Effects of LLI
The most common effect of anatomic LLI is rotation of the
pelvis and/or innominate bones – often referred to as
pelvic torsion – in the sagittal and/or frontal planes [3,23-
25]. Mechanically, in the standing position, the weight of
the body in the pelvis induces a force vector through the
hip joints and towards the feet. With asymmetry of the
leg-lengths, the pelvis, being pushed down on the femoral
heads, must rotate or torsion. The innominate movement
tends to be anterior on the side of the anatomically short
leg and posterior contralaterally [23,26]. In studies of pel-
vic rotation imposed by foot lifts, there was an approxi-
mately linear relationship in pelvic torsion as the leg was
lengthened from 1/4 to 7/8" [23]. A chart, based on the
work of Cummings et al, shows the degrees of torsion rel-
ative to lengthening of the left leg (Figure 4). Note that the
artificial lengthening of the left leg caused more rotation
of the contralateral hemipelvis in an anterior direction –
the short leg side – than posterior rotation ipsilaterally.
The relationship of LLI to pelvic torsion is supported by
the data of others [27]. Walsh et al [24] found that pelvic
obliquity was the most common method of compensat-
ing for LLI up to 22 mm. With larger amounts of leg-
length inequality, subjects begin to develop flexion of the
knee in the long leg [24]. While the degree of pelvic
torsion due to the imposition of lifts tends to be linear,
there are many factors – including innominate

asymmetry, freedom of SI joint movement, and hyper-
tonic suprapelvic muscles – that can affect pelvic torsion.
Several authors emphasize that it is a mistake to assume
that the side and amount of LLI can be reliably deduced
from pelvic crest unleveling [17,26,28].
Other effects of LLI and pelvic torsion have been demon-
strated by Giles et al [29,30]. These compensations
include alterations and asymmetry of lumbosacral facet
joint angles, postural scoliosis, concavities in the vertebral
body end-plates, wedging of the 5 th lumbar vertebra and
traction spurs. However, no relationship of these findings
to symptoms was claimed.
Along the lines of symptomatic problems associated with
LLI compensations, Levangie attempted to quantify pelvic
asymmetry in a loaded (standing) position without x-ray
by using precise location of anatomic landmarks [31]. The
objective was to see if pelvic torsion – the most common
compensation for LLI – was correlated with back pain. It
was not. In another study, a pelvic level – a device with a
weighted gravity line superimposed on a scale in one-
degree increments clamped in place on the palpated supe-
rior aspects of the iliac crests – was used to examine a
group of non-clinical subjects [32]. There was no correla-
tion of self-reported back pain, frequency or severity, to
pelvic unleveling. However in those subjects with measur-
able pelvic unleveling (29 of 64 subjects), 61% had a high
left iliac crest, which may be evidence of the greater inci-
dence of a longer left leg [32]. A final study, using
Table 2: Relationship between gender and anatomic leg-length
inequality

LLI and Gender (Refs 8,10,12,15) N Mean LLI (mm)
Male 58 5.1 (4.3)
Female 58 5.2 (4.6)
P = 0.87 (t-test)
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radiography to determine pelvic obliquity, examined sub-
jects with (n = 93) and without (n = 76) chronic low back
pain (defined as low back pain of at least 3 months) [33].
This study found no difference in the pelvic obliquity
between subjects with and without chronic back pain,
obliquity was prevalent and equally distributed in both
groups.
These studies examining pelvic obliquity indicate that this
type of postural distortion, be it from LLI or bony asym-
metry, is not related to back pain, and does not seem to be
clinically significant. The next, more difficult and contro-
versial question is, what is the clinical significance of LLI,
and at what magnitude?
How much anatomic LLI is clinically significant?
Mannello remarked that the clinical significance of LLI
was "perhaps dependent on several factors, including the
degree of inequality, the ability of the pelvis and spine to
compensate for the inequality and associated conditions
or problems" [1]. While this statement is undoubtedly
true, this paper will attempt to quantify what ranges of
anatomic LLI are clinically significant, that is, being
associated with back pain, injury, muscle strength asym-
metry or other physiologic changes. Unless noted, all the
studies reviewed here have been selected because they

used the more accurate radiological methods to determine
anatomic LLI.
When one examines references alluding to the clinical sig-
nificance of anatomic LLI, Friberg's 1983 study [7] is most
often cited. Friberg collected data on 1,157 subjects; 798
with chronic LBP and a control group of 359 with no LBP.
The data Friberg collected on the prevalence of LLI in a
normal population is very similar to that found in the
compilation outlined in this paper. The prevalence of LLI
10 mm or greater was 15.6%. This review found the figure
to be 14.8%; Friberg showed the incidence of LLI 15 mm
Ranges of anatomic leg-length inequalityFigure 3
Ranges of anatomic leg-length inequality.
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or greater at 2.2%, this review 2.6%. Unlike the popula-
tion compiled in this review however, Friberg's data were
obtained from patients at a military hospital and repre-
sent a high percentage of subjects exposed to extreme and
repetitive loading.
Friberg also reported "LLI was 5 mm or more in 75.4% of
the patients with LBP and 43.5% of the controls. The dif-
ference is statistically significant (P < 0.001) using a Chi-
squared test" [7]. Anatomic LLI greater than 20 mm was
previously shown to be the putative limit for spontaneous
compensation of the pelvis to postural asymmetry. If
these subjects are eliminated from Friberg's data, the asso-
ciation of anatomic LLI with LBP drops somewhat.
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects about 21% of the
population [34,35]. One would expect this percentage to

be higher if, as Friberg found, that 5 mm of LLI is a causa-
tive factor, given that 50% of the population has LLI of 5.2
mm or greater. Figure 5 shows the relative "incidence" of
chronic low back pain to LLI using Friberg's data. As can
be seen, Friberg's putative correlation really becomes
demonstrable when LLI is above 15 mm, at 5.3 times the
prevalence of CLBP.
In defending the results and their interpretation in a letter-
to-the-editor, Friberg wrote, " I have always pointed out
that LLI of less than 5 mm has no relationship with lum-
bar scoliosis or back pain. I have also emphasized that
even marked LLI per se [emphasis in original] neither pro-
duces LBP nor contributes to its development if a person
is not continually exposed to prolonged standing or gait,
e.g., during daily work, military training, and sporting
activities" [36]. So, Friberg notes that relatively small
amounts of anatomic LLI may only be clinically
significant relative to certain conditions such as pro-
longed and/or repetitive loading – which describes the
population in Friberg's study – and not as a generality, as
the study is often referenced to support.
Friberg's data represents the low end of anatomic LLI that
is hypothesized to be clinically significant. At the high
end, in a review of the biomechanical implications of leg-
length inequality, others write that LLI less than 30 mm is
mild and the clinical significance questionable [25,37].
This large range – from 5 mm to 30 mm – is the likely rea-
son behind the lack of consensus as to the clinical signifi-
cance of LLI. The answer presumably lies somewhere in
between.

Pelvic rotation with left heel lift (Cummings)Figure 4
Pelvic rotation with left heel lift (Cummings).
1.01
1.51
1.87
2.17
2.97
2.83
-0.61
-0.89
-0.97
-0.99
-1.11
-1.45
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" 7/8"
Amount of lift
Degrees of pelvic rotatio
n

right pelvic tilt
left pelvic tilt
N
egative values
indicate posterior
(PI) tilt
Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2005, 13:11 />Page 7 of 10
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Giles and Taylor [30] reported that LLI of 10 mm or larger
was found significantly more often in a group with
chronic low back pain. No data was given as to the mean
LLI or the distribution in the CLBP group, only that the
LLI was greater than 9 mm. They found LLI of 10 mm or
more in 18% of the CLBP population (n = 1309), and
only 8% of the normal population (n = 50). The pooled
data (n = 164) of asymptomatic subjects in this review
[8,10,12-15] finds 15.5% of this population with LLI of
10 mm or greater. The data compiled from all pooled
studies – both symptomatic and symptom free – shows
LLI of 10 mm or greater in 15% of the population. These
results raise questions about whether the prevalence of LLI
found in Giles and Taylor's normal population is repre-
sentative and whether CLBP is indeed related to LLI in the
10 mm range.
Similarly, Kujala et al found athletes with patellar apicitis
(jumpers knee) had a significantly larger LLI (5.8 mm, SD
4.5) than an asymptomatic control group (3.0 mm, SD
2.3) [38]. The mean LLI in the Kujala et al control group
(n = 20) is significantly less than the pooled asympto-
matic subjects (n = 164) in this review (5.2 mm, SD 4.2)

[8,10,12-15] and may be related to the smaller sample
size, or the unique group sampled ("healthy" athletes).
Regardless, the Kujala et al control group does not repre-
sent the asymptomatic general population based on the
evidence examined in this review paper. Kujala et al also
studied military conscripts (n = 32) who developed knee
pain during their initial 8-weeks of training and compared
them to a group that did not develop knee pain (n = 28).
Those who had knee pain had a significantly larger LLI;
8.0 mm (SD 5.9) versus 4.1 mm (SD 2.9) at p = 0.003 (t-
test) [39]. While the magnitude of LLI in the control group
in this study is much closer to the normal demonstrated
in this review paper (5.2 mm versus 4.1 mm), the magni-
tude of the control group LLI is also very close to that of
the patellar apicitis group in the athlete study. One might
question why athletes are more likely to develop knee
pain with an average LLI of 5.8 mm, but training soldiers
with an average LLI of 4.1 mm are not? Further, there was
no correlation between the injured knee and the side of
the short leg, which would be expected if the short leg
were the predisposing factor.
In a survey of 247 working age men and women looking
for the presence of LLI, Soukka et al [13] examined and
compared statistically matched groups with and without
LBP. Their results showed no increased risk of back pain
with a LLI of 10–20 mm, and the relationship between LLI
of more than 20 mm and back pain were not conclusive.
These results differ markedly from that of Friberg, prompt-
ing the letter-to-the-editor noted above [36]. In the
exchange between Friberg and Soukka et al, both agree

that the significance of LLI may depend more on
prolonged and repetitive loading, a common sense idea
previously expressed by Subotnick [40].
One of the areas of research into the clinical significance
of LLI has been in relation to femoral fracture and total
hip replacement surgery. Gibson et al found that in 15
patients, at least 10 years after shortening due to femoral
fracture (average 3 cm, range 1.5 – 5.5 cm), there was no
significant discomfort, structural abnormalities or degen-
erative changes as a result of the leg length discrepancy
[41]. Edeen et al followed 68 patients with a mean LLI of
9.7 mm for an average of 6.6 years after hip replacement
surgery [42]. They were not able to demonstrate a rela-
tionship between LLI and low back pain. Another study of
200 post total hip replacement surgeries used validated
functional outcome scores (Harris hip score and the SF-36
Health Survey) to examine the relationship of imposed
LLI to functional outcome [43]. This study found that leg
lengthening (up to 35 mm) or shortening (up to 21 mm)
did not correlate with decreased function, comfort or sat-
isfaction six months after the operation. A retrospective
study of 6,954 total hip arthroplasty patients over a 7 year
period found only 21 (0.3%) had symptoms related to
post-surgery leg length inequality symptomatically severe
enough (primarily back and hip pain) to require a second
surgery to equalize leg length [44]. The mean LLI of the
patient's who received revision arthroplasty was 3.6 cm (±
1.2 cm, range 2.0 cm to 7.0 cm). The results of these stud-
ies of hip replacement are somewhat surprising given that
the LLI was induced at an older age when the ability of the

pelvis, SI joints and soft tissues to compensate for this
asymmetry would likely be reduced.
"Incidence" of chronic low back pain with anatomic leg-length inequality (Friberg)Figure 5
"Incidence" of chronic low back pain with anatomic leg-length
inequality (Friberg).
5-9mm 10-14mm
< 15mm
0-4mm
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
LLI
Odds ratio
(% LBP / % symp free
)
Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2005, 13:11 />Page 8 of 10
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In examining the effects of LLI from childhood, Yrjönen et
al [45] did a follow-up study of 81 patients with Perthes'
disease and a mean LLI of 12 mm. The follow-up time was
an average of 35 years (range 28–47). They found that
most of the patients had no back pain, and concluded that
back pain was not a significant problem after Perthes' in
spite of frequent LLI. Another study of adults (mean age
28) with large LLI since childhood – mean 29.1 mm –
found no complaints of back pain or degenerative

changes. Lumbar scoliosis was minor in those with LLI of
less than 22 mm [46].
In most of these studies, follow-up was years to decades,
and LLI means from ~ 10 mm to 30 mm, yet none could
demonstrate a significant correlation to back pain. Given
these findings, the average 5 mm anatomic leg-length dif-
ferential does not appear to be significant, even with pro-
longed and repetitive loading. Based on these studies,
childhood-onset LLI up to at least 20 mm (~ 3/4") does
not seem to be clinically significant.
Another category where LLI can cause sudden, abnormal
loading of the lumbar-pelvic structure is in athletic and
military training. Gross [10] examined LLI in a group of
marathon runners. He found that leg length discrepancy
less than 25 mm did not appear to have a deleterious
effect. In a study of stress fracture and LLI in Finnish army
conscripts, Friberg [47] found those with LLI ≥ 10 mm had
stress fractures 10% more frequently than healthy (no
known stress fracture) controls. No statistical analysis was
described, so it is not known whether the increase in stress
fracture incidence from 20.1% (controls) to 30%
(patients) is significant. Friberg did find that in parachut-
ists, those with LLI 10 mm or more (15.7% of 102, n =
16), 50% had stress fractures. This does point to an asso-
ciation between LLI of over 10 mm, extreme loading and
stress fracture, however, the small "n" of 16 did not allow
for a statistical analysis. In a study of athletes (n = 46) for
anatomic LLI as a risk factor in stress fractures, Kor-
pelainen et al [48] found the mean LLI of the patient
group to be 4.9 mm. While sympathetic to the possibility

of the association between LLI and stress fracture, they
found no relationship.
Again, the average amount of LLI (5 mm) does not appear
to be clinically significant with substantially increased
and repetitive loading. Only when the increased loading
is abrupt and severe (Friberg's parachutists) is a strong cor-
relation established between LLI of 10 mm and a patho-
logic condition (stress fracture). Given the findings in
these studies, LLI below 10 mm, even with heavier repeti-
tive loading, does not appear to be clinically significant.
LLI between 10 – 20 mm increases the chances of clinical
significance, but outside of severe, abrupt loading, the evi-
dence is lacking. Based on these studies, it would appear
that childhood-onset LLI of up to 15 – 20 mm does not
seem to be clinically significant.
The effect of LLI on physiological function has also been
explored, and can shed some light on a possible range of
clinical significance. It has been presumed that anatomic
LLI, because of its effects on structure, causes muscular
hypertonicity and changes in strength and/or coordina-
tion [28]. Mincer et al [15] expected LLI, (because of pre-
sumed stressful mechanical effects on the lumbar spine by
virtue of the asymmetrical loading) would cause earlier
and greater fatigue of trunk muscles, and tested that
hypothesis. The average inequality in the LLI group (n =
18) was 10 mm. They found no difference between the LLI
and no LLI groups relative to muscle fatigue or neuromus-
cular control. Yen et al [49] examined muscular perform-
ance on trunk extension in a group of young men with
estimated LLI of 10 – 15 mm, both with and without a lift

used to equalize LLI. There was no statistically significant
effect of the lift and equalization of LLI on any of the var-
iables tested. Murrell et al [50] examined standing balance
in subjects with LLI of at least 9.5 mm versus those with
no LLI and found no difference. They concluded that indi-
viduals with anatomic LLI are not less stable than those
without during quiet stance, and that the probable reason
for this finding is long-term adaptation by the neuromus-
cular system to the LLI.
The last two studies [49,50] relied on more inaccurate
measures to determine LLI, so the results are suspect.
However, in these studies, care was taken to classify and
examine only those with far end-range amounts of asym-
metry as having LLI; in all studies that amount was over 10
mm.
In a study of LLI and analysis of gait, Goel et al found no
significant differences in joint movement with the impo-
sition of a 1.25 cm leg length differential via a shoe (not
just heel) lift [51]. Based on their findings, they suggest
that, " the body is well able to compensate for minor
LLD [leg length differential] of up to 2 cm. Correction of
an LLD of this magnitude for biomechanical reasons
alone does not appear indicated". Another study of gait
with LLI imposed via foot lifts found that a 2.3 cm lift
produced no changes in gait or hip forces and moments
[52]. A study of subjects with pre-existing LLI found that a
mean LLI of 2.5 cm was necessary to produce an asymmet-
rical gait [53]. A study of the effect of LLD in children (n =
20, 9.0 ± 3.9 years) on found gait asymmetries only with
LLD >2.0 cm [54]. White et al found LLD between 1 – 3

cm, whether simulated or real, resulted in unequal load-
ing of limbs when walking, and recommended
considering shoe lifts to equalize leg lengths [55]. Finally,
in examining the effects of imposed foot lifts on oxygen
requirements, one study found no statistical difference
Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2005, 13:11 />Page 9 of 10
(page number not for citation purposes)
even with a lift of 3 cm during running [37]. Another
found it was necessary to impose a LLI of between 2 – 3
cm in older adults in order to cause increased oxygen con-
sumption and perceived exertion [56].
As in the previous groups (general working population,
long-term loading, and heavy loading) the effects of LLI in
the order of 10 mm relative to muscle strength, coordina-
tion and gait and oxygen consumption do not appear clin-
ically significant. The evidence in these studies is less
compelling because of the measurement methods, the
concentration of testing around the 10 mm mark and
imposition of LLI, which does not give the body time to
compensate. However, there is no reason to believe that
those physiological measures are any more sensitive to LLI
than the other measures noted previously.
These findings – that LLI in the range of 20 mm (~ 3/4"),
regardless of prolonged or repetitive loading, does not
result in back pain or other clinically significant symptom,
seems to preclude the need for heel lifts in most cases.
However, there will always be individual exceptions, and
there may be some general exceptions.
Gofton and Trueman found a strong association between
leg length and unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) in the

supero-lateral region of the hip on the side of the anatom-
ically long leg [4]. In their study, all subjects with this type
of OA "had led healthy active lives prior to the onset of
hip pain", and few subjects were aware of any difference
in leg length. The authors point out that this form of OA
has its onset around the age of 53. While concluding that
anatomic LLI in the order of 1/2" to 1" (13 – 25 mm) is
associated with the development of a unilateral OA hip,
Gofton and Trueman acknowledge that many with this
anatomic asymmetry fail to develop this condition, sug-
gesting that factors other than the disparity are also
important. An important area of investigation would be to
determine these other factors to provide a clearer picture
of who may be at risk.
Further data suggesting exceptions to the conclusions
drawn above regarding the effects of mild anatomic LLI
come from Triano [57]. He demonstrated balancing of
asymmetric electromyographic paraspinal muscle activity
in 51% of subjects with low back pain by using an average
heel lift of 22 mm. These results indicate that changes in
leg length of ~3/4" or greater results in active – muscular
– compensation which, if prolonged, may become pain-
ful. Bringing the pelvis back towards a neutral orientation
and decreasing active muscular compensation may
explain why the use of heel lifts under the short leg
appears to be an effective treatment in some complaints of
back pain [7,16,58]. To explain these results, the func-
tional "short leg" will be examined in Part II.
In summary, childhood-onset anatomic leg-length ine-
quality appears to have little clinical significance up to 20

mm. Several authors agree [2,25,59], most recently with
Kakushima et al who stated: "Therefore, although con-
flicts in the literature exist, 3 cm of LLD [leg length dis-
crepancy] can be characterized as a minimum LLD, which
should be treated in the clinical practice" [60]. This esti-
mation of clinical significance dovetails nicely with the
findings on the effects of LLI, particularly pelvic torsion
[23]. Passive structural changes – pelvic torsion, mild
lumbar scoliosis, facet angulation, changes in muscle
length – seem capable of compensating for anatomic LLI
of up to 20 mm. Past the ~ 20 mm point, passive structural
changes give way to active muscular compensatory
measures.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper was to review radiographic
research regarding anatomic leg-length inequality; preva-
lence, mean magnitude, effects, clinical significance and
relationship to unloaded leg-length alignment asymme-
try. Ninety per cent of the population has some anatomic
leg-length inequality; the average was found to be 5.2
mm. Based on the research reviewed, childhood anatomic
LLI of less than 15 mm in situations of repeated and/or
heavy loading, or less than 20 mm (~ 3/4") under normal
conditions, is not likely to cause symptoms requiring
treatment.
Competing interests
The author(s) declare that they have no competing
interests.
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